BASIC GUIDE

FOR SMALL

HOME AIR

CONDITIONER | CHOOSING | USING | BUYING |

Nathan Gale

2016

Created by

ACH Team

5/30/2016

ACH | Air Conditioner Home Team

In most of the climatic regions

with extreme weathers, getting an

air conditioner is quintessential to

have. Whether it is unbearable

sweating hot with scorching sun or

bone-chilling cold, you can’t make it

a go without a good air conditioner.

Since the first air conditioner was

invented, a lot of improvement has

been incorporated and modern air

conditioners are quite robust and

state-of-the-art household items.

Now, we have not only smart air

conditioners but they are also

portable as well as slimmer and

smarter in size. They have gone

green to contribute to the

environment as well. Wide variety

of cooling and heating devices

nowadays causes The Air

Conditioner Guide on How to buy

the best air conditioner for home to

be almost a necessity to have and

read before choosing the right air

conditioner for your house or flat.

The USA is by far the largest market that

demands the best air conditioners.

Companies are working to their best with the

top-notch technologies to bring forth latest

innovations in the air conditioning industries.

Huge demand for the air conditioners has

been observed in most parts of the US.

Southern regions are quite hot throughout

the summers and northern ones are quite

snowy. This is where all of the regions look

for the best air conditioners.

2nd edition

May 2016

Introduction T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S :

BASIC GUIDE FOR SMALL HOME AIR CONDITIONER

Air Conditioners for smaller spaces Small families with small

homes that range up to

approximately 2000 sqft.

are always perplexed as to

what could be the best AC

option to go for. Their air

conditioning demands differ

from that of larger homes,

commercial buildings and

industrial units. Although,

central air conditioning

system can be installed yet

this option can come out to

be very expensive for

smaller families. This is

where they resort to

portable and split air

conditioners and where tips

from ACH team Air

Conditioner Guide on how

to buy the best air

conditioner for home can be

more than useful

guideline for making the

right decision and avoiding

crucial air conditioning

mistakes in your family

home space.

INTRODUCTION

Page 1

ARTICLE 01:

What Air Conditioner To Buy For

Your Home or Work space

Page 2

ARTICLE 02:

Determining the air conditioner

cooling / heating power for

smaller houses

Page 3-4

ARTICLE 03:

Choosing the type of air

conditioner for smaller living

space

Page 5-6

ARTICLE 04:

Where and how to install air

conditioner

Page 7

АRTICLE 05:

How to choose the right

manufacturer of air conditioner

Page 8

ARTICLE 06:

How to perform basic regular

maintenance of air conditioner

Page 9

ENDNOTE

Page 10

CHOOSING | BUYING | USING

In the moment when You should determine the appropriate air conditioner unit for smaller residential or business spaces such as single family houses, flats, offices, stores …, the first question you will ask yourself will be, what type of air conditioner to choose. In this case of small spaces (under 1000sqft), You should not have a lot of concerns, because the best way to go is with the installation of split system air conditioner. In the case of a larger house (1000-2000sqft) with many rooms, You can install multi-split systems (one outdoor unit and several interior AC units). Split systems always have a small advantage over the window air conditioning units.

What Air Conditioner To Buy

How to choose the best air conditioner for home Steps in determining the right Home Air Conditioner

Window air conditioning units should be installed in case you need to cool only one smaller space (room, office, under 100sqft) or if it is not possible to install a split system. Portable air conditioning units should be avoided and their acquisition and installation is only justified if it is not possible to install split system AC or window AC unit, and/or if for some reason you need just a portable air conditioner, such as for buildings that are not air-conditioned on a regular basis and which need short time cooling (or heating) (temporary facilities, in case of transition period to the installation of a new AC unit, or in case of a old AC unit failure ...).

Prices of air conditioners

are very well established

matching to their quality,

due to the large and

transparent market, which

simply means that if you

want a more reliable and

more durable air-

conditioning you must be

willing to give a bit more

money for an AC unit. The

price of the AC device is

adjusted in relation to the

quality and strength of the

device. So when selecting

air conditioners for houses

or apartments first step

will be to determine the

necessary cooling/heating

power of the air

conditioner (in Btu or RT

or kW). Then it is

necessary to determine

the type of air conditioning

system that will be

installed (Split system,

Multi-split system,

Portable or Window, air

conditioner unit). Along

with determining the type

of air conditioner, You

should decide the exact

position in the room where

the AC unit will be

installed. And finally last

step will be choosing the

appropriate AC

manufacturer.

Air Conditioner prices

To quickly determine the approximate

cooling or heating power needed for

your house you can use our:

ONLINE AIR CONDTIONER

POWER CALCULATOR

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 01 Page 2

In this site, we discuss only the types of air conditioners that are used for smaller

living spaces (area up to 2000 sqft). For larger residential homes or commercial

buildings (over 2000 sqft), engineers consider and calculate the installment of

centralized water heat pump or chiller with fan coil water distribution, or central air

handling chamber with air duct distribution of the treated (cooled / heated) air.

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“ Undersized Air Conditioner unit

with low cooling or heating power will work continuously without a break“

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 02 Page 3

Selection of adequate air conditioning unit power is quite significant. Especially because we do not want to choose AC unit with lower power capacity than needed since it will not be able to cool or heat interior space for which it has been acquired. Undersized Air Conditioner unit with low cooling or heating power will work continuously without a break, because it is not able to cool the room to the desired temperature. This situation will increase the cost of electric energy and reduce the life of the air conditioner. Also selecting air conditioning unit with much more power than needed for our

Determining the air conditioner power

for small homes

space, is a bad situation too, because AC unit will quickly cool down the air in our house which will cause frequently starting and stopping of the AC device and this badly affects the vital spare parts of the Air Conditioner (compressor and fans) and therefore also shortens the AC unit lifetime. Plus, power oversized Air Conditioning unit is likely to have poor air distribution, such as a blowing too strong, causing an uncomfortable effect on people in the room, or it will have uneven cooling with different temperatures in separate parts of the room.

This is why it is very important to

choose adequate air conditioning power

for our space. A precise calculation of

the necessary thermal power for air

conditioning is not simple and involves

many engineering parameters (wall

thickness, type of walls and insulation,

orientation of external walls, insulation of

floor, ceiling and the surrounding rooms,

roof type, geographic location, position,

type and size of windows, location

position in relation to the wind, sun and

many other scientific data ...), but for

small objects that interest us, power can

be experientially approximated relatively

quickly according to size of the surface

area that needs to be cooled (for a

standard ceiling height, and that no

additional large heat sources are

present in the room, such as for

example the kitchen, where there are

stoves, ovens ...).

Attached bellow is an approximation table

with values for the power of the air

conditioner related to the floor area of the

space that needs to be air-conditioned.

(Measuring units used for AC cooling /

heating power: RT is refrigeration ton; Btu

is British Thermal Unit, kW is kilo-Watt). Or

you can use our simple online ac power

calculator:

ACH TEAM Online AC Power

calclulator

This chart is just for the first orientation to get a quick information about approximate cooling or heating power you will need

in your home or office. For precise calculation you must consult licensed HVAC engineer.

Air Conditioner Home Power Chart

Air Conditioner sizing

calculator:

Power unit presented in:

BTU Calculator

AC tonnage calculator

kW AC power

We’re on the Web!

www.airconditionerhome.com

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 02

Page 4

Company Name

Split Air Conditioner or

Split system takes up a

minimum of space in the

interior of the room which

is air-conditioned.

Installation of the split

system air conditioner is

relatively simple. The only

drawback is the

positioning of external

(outdoor) AC unit of the

split system on the higher

floors and access to it for

mounting, servicing or

repairs, for this reason,

the external split system

Choosing the right type of air conditioner for small living space

unit is necessary to install

on the outer wall under

the window, or on the

terrace, or if there is a

secure platform on the

outer wall on which is safe

to walk and stand then

place the outdoor unit

above this platform, all in

order to secure safe and

easy access to it. The

indoor split system air

conditioner unit can be

easily mounted on the

inner wall near the ceiling

(just install mounting

brackets and drill the

smaller hole about 4

inches diameter in the wall

for the passage of the

pipes, cables and hose to

the outdoor unit). The

indoor unit also does not

take up much space in the

room and if installed

properly, air distribution is

more efficient than air

distribution from a window

air conditioner or portable

air conditioner.

Split Air Conditioner

Air Conditioning units for apartments, rooms, houses, officies … Split Air Conditioner

Window Air Conditioner

Page 5 Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 03

Window Air Conditioner

Window Air Conditioner and

Wall unit Air Conditioner

only advantage over the

Split Air Conditioner is that

the entire device is packed

in one whole unit, and there

is no need for special work

on connecting the indoor

and outdoor unit. However,

Window Air Conditioner unit

requires a much larger hole

in the wall or window and is

generally placed lower (at

window height), which

disrupts the aesthetic look

of the room and somewhat

causes worse air

distribution than the Split

Air Conditioner. Also,

since the Window Air

Conditioner device is all

packed together as one

unit (compressor, fans), it

produces more noise than

split system air

conditioner, and this may

be a problem for sensitive

people, so avoid window

air conditioner installment

into a space where you

are sleeping or space

where it is necessary to

have silence (like reading

room). Furthermore, when

window AC is removed, it

requires bigger

construction works on

repairing the big holes in

the wall or window. Wall

AC unit is very similar to

window AC unit but it is

prepacked especially for

wall installation. Initial

investment costs due to

construction work needed

can be much higher and

must be carefully planned

before purchasing and

mounting this AC unit

type.

“Split Air Conditioner is probably always the best option for small home air conditioning“

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 03

Page 6

Portable Air Conditioner

unit, except being

movable and doesn't

require special work on

installing, has no

advantage over split air

conditioner and window

air conditioner units,

especially as a permanent

solution for the air

conditioning space. One

of the drawbacks of the

Portable Air Conditioner

unit is the need for manual

discharge of the

condenser container

(every several hours). Its

acquisition and usage is

only justified for smaller

rooms and rooms that

need air conditioning

temporarily or if for some

reason it is not possible to

install a split system air

Portable Air Conditioner

conditioner or window or

wall unit air conditioner, or

there is a need for

frequent relocation of the

air conditioner. Also, it has

a higher level of noise

compared to the split

system air conditioner

indoor unit. Additional

inconvenience is the big

hose for hot air exhaust

wich must be placed to

blow hot air to outdoor

space. If you can't use

room window for exhaust

hose you will have to use

the door, and if the door is

in the interior room it will

introduce the hot air to the

neighboring room (or

space). This can make

neighboring room

unbearably hot.

The conclusion is definitely that for a smaller living space, if possible we should first

consider the possibility of installing a Split Air Conditioner, and then on second place

Window Air Conditioner. Portable Air Conditioner unit, You should use only where it is

not possible or reasonable to install a split system or window AC unit.

Summary

Company Name

Air conditioner needs to

be installed in the place,

where it is easy to access

AC unit for maintenance

and repair. Also, pay

attention that the air

conditioner is installed in a

location that will allow

better air distribution

through space, to avoid

blowing cold air directly

into people and that there

are no obstacles to

exhaust air from the air

conditioner (pillars, walls,

shelves, cabinets). It is

desirable to install AC unit

near the electric power

outlet, to avoid stretching

long cables because it

would increase the risk of

their breaking. Air

conditioner must be

correctly positioned and

leveled without inclination

(to avoid a spill from the

condenser tubes) and well

attached to the wall or in a

window without vibration

while in working mode.

Where and how to install air conditioner for home

For split system and

window AC units pay

attention to install

condensate line in a way

that it will be carried to the

nearest point of the

drainage. Condensate

pipes or hoses, install with

a necessary slope

towards the central

drainage point. For a split

system, pay attention that

the external unit must be

located in a place where

there are no obstructions

of airflow and if possible

don't expose outdoor unit

directly to sun or wind

gusts. If the outdoor unit is

located on the upper

floors, it is desirable to

mount it under the window

or on the terrace, for easy

and safe access. On the

lower floors or ground,

consider putting a

protective cage over the

external AC unit (to

prevent damage or theft).

Take into account that the

distance from the outdoor

and indoor AC unit is not

too large (directed by the

manufacturer or max 30ft).

Split system AC copper

pipes, must not be bare,

they must be wrapped in

adequate thermal

insulation layer. For

portable AC unit, pay

attention that hose for the

hot air waste exhaust is

carried out from the room

into the external

environment. When using

air conditioners ensure

that there is no infiltration

of the outside ambient air

(close all doors and

windows). Below the AC

units don't place electrical

appliances such as a TV

or a computer, as this may

cause water dripping

directly on them in the

case of condensate hose

clogging and therefore

greater damage to them.

How to find the best position for air conditioner in your home

Installation of split, window and wall air conditioner must be performed by HVAC technician

Page 7

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 04

What are important guidelines for air conditioner installation

It is wise to leave the installation of air conditioning unit to a qualified technician, authorized for this type of work. If you are not able to control the execution of the works, be sure to inspect the

AC unit at the end of the works and check that the technicians filled the guidelines that are listed here (if the air conditioner is placed correctly, whether there are vibrations, is

condense line adequately drawn to the point of drainage, whether the air flow on the outside and on the inside of the AC unit is unobstructed, whether it is possible to remove the air filter easily ...).

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Company Name

In general, how much money are you ready to spend on AC unit corresponds to the quality level of AC unit you will get. Today the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry and market are highly developed, widespread & transparent throughout the world. The result is that the prices of air conditioners between

How to choose the right manufacturer of air conditioner

manufacturers are equally adjusted to the product quality and You will hardly make a mistake if You purchase air conditioner from authorized retailers. Of course, there may be minor differences from seller to seller, so if you want to save a few bucks and have the time it does not hurt to check in a few shops before you buy. Manufacturers are pretty

well sorted in a relation of price and quality, so you can choose the best and most expensive or the cheapest and lower quality AC product. While it is hard to point to the real best manufacturer, however, we can talk about some of the trends and AC unit specifics in relation to the country of origin of the manufacturer

What are some specifics for different air conditioner manufacturers sorted by the country of origin

Page 8

European manufacturers of air conditioning

equipment (as well in general for technical equipment), often give emphasis on the aesthetic appearance of the product or even artistic impression. AC units are made with solid energy efficiency, good-looking form, good quality, with not so frequent failures, but when failure occur there might be the problem of difficult acquirement of spare parts.

Japanese and South Korean manufacturers such as Fujitsu and LG,

produce mainly a modern high-tech looking AC units with an emphasis on reliable automation and precise control of the device, with a large number of options for regulating the device. Their products are made with very high energy efficiency. The failure is rare, but if occurs it is usually fatal or expensive to repair. Failure of these AC units are mostly caused by wrong handling and not following the manufacturer's instructions.

Chinese Air Conditioner manufacturers are

mainly characterized by lower prices. The

devices are not high-class quality and are simpler in design. A lifetime of AC unit is shorter and failures are not rare but usually, failures are simple to fix. Their advantage may be an easier way to purchase spare parts and much lower cost of spare parts. Of course, to avoid complete geographical generalization, there are Chinese manufacturers such as Midea, who by the quality of their product can be classified among top world producers.

North American Air Conditioner

manufacturers are my natural favorites. USA product as in many industry spheres is characterized by the raw power and strength that can survive the shock from the nuclear bomb. By appearance, they may be big and robust, but that is all pure muscles and durability. Energy efficiency is generally good. Spare parts (if from the US) are the highest quality. The disadvantage is that they are not much present outside the Continent in other parts of the World. Failures are not frequent and usually not fatal and can be fixed relatively easy.

These are just some of the subjective opinions based on generalized characteristics of air equipment manufacturers, specific for a particular geographic area at this moment. You must understand that there are always exceptions like I mentioned and that these aspects are constantly changing.

Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 05

Air Conditioner Manufacturers - Production Trends

Company Name

In order for air conditioning

to work as efficiently as

possible and to prevent

failures and to extend the

lifetime of AC unit, it is very

important to conduct

regular maintenance. For

the main service that is

carried out on average at

least once a year, the

engagement of a

How to perform regular maintenance of air conditioner

professional technician is

inevitable. HVAC

Technician will perform

washing and disinfection

of AC units (condenser,

evaporator, air filter),

check the gas (freon)

pressures and refill the

gas if necessary and

identify and fix any leaks

of gas if present, check

condenser and evaporator

exchanger fins and fix them

if they are deformed, check

electrical installations and

remove burned parts and

tighten connections, check

and unclog or replace

condenser drain hose or

pipe if necessary.

What simple maintenance operations can you perform on your air conditioner

Page 9 Air Condit ioner Home Guide | Article 06

How often should you clean air conditioner

However, the owner or user may himself carry out some simple actions on maintenance that will improve the performance of air conditioner. First, You must turn off the air conditioner from the electric power supply and remove the air filter and then wash the filter under warm running water. Removing the air filter is usually not complicated. Often you can remove the air filter, just by lifting or pulling the front

plastic cover of AC unit, but it is best to refer to the manufacturer's directions obtained with the device because this procedure is always explained in manuals). Also, the owner can clean plastic covers of the air conditioner with a clean cloth and little water, at least from the outside. When the front plastic mask cover of AC unit is raised and the air filter is removed, you can clean the dust around the

evaporator with a vacuum cleaner. It can also be quite easy to find and buy spray disinfectant for air conditioners and evaporator in local stores and if you have one, spray it on AC unit and leave it to dry. When the AC unit and air filter becomes dry after a few hours, return the air filter back to the air conditioner and close the cover, plug it in, and switch on the power supply.

If you have an opportunity, you can use water hose with sprinkler to wash external condenser unit with running water (with or without the use of chemical detergents for AC heat exchanger). The air

filter keeps dust and dirt in order not to clog the evaporator (heat exchanger) of the air conditioner. Dirty exchanger, significantly reduce the energy efficiency of air

conditioners and in the extreme case could block air flow and stop AC unit. Therefore, it is advisable to wash your filter, at least, every two or three months.

For what service work on your air conditioner you should hire HVAC

professional technician

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AIRCONDITIONERHOME ACH TEAM

Check our website for other useful content. Get latest air conditioner guides, HVAC

News, air purifiers information and much more.

www.airconditionerhome.com E-mail: office@airconditionerhome.com

Air Conditioner for home buying guides.

Air conditioning tips.

Air conditioner recommended

products shop.

Online air conditioner shop

ACH TEAM is a group of HVAC engineers, designers and technicians with a great experience in selecting and implementing HVAC equipment. The purpose of this guides is to use our knowledge and expertise to help other people in finding the best air conditioner units for their family homes, offices or some other smaller spaces.

We’re on the Web!

www.airconditionerhome.com

Air Conditioner Home Guide | ENDNOTE

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